Velocipede



UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

ROBERT MIEHLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,862, dated October6, 1896.

Application filed December 3, 1894. Serial No. 530,698. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT MIEHLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invent-ion -relates to velocipedes and driving mechanism for thatclass of velocipedes and other forms of machineryin which the propellingpower is applied through the intermediary of a crank-shaft, and moreparticularly to that class in which the power is transmitted from thecrank-shaft to the driving-wheel by means of chain gearing and thecrank-shaft is driven by adjustable or variable lever mechanism. I

The invention has for its especial purpose to guard against injury tothe riders feet in propelling the machine, to render the leverage of thepropelling-levers capable of being more readily adjusted or varied, toprevent backlash or to take up the slack of the driving-chain when theelliptical driving-gear is used, to hold the pedals in a convenientposition, to render the machine readily convertible into a tandem, andto accomplish other ends of minor importance hereinafter described.

The circular movement of the pedal, beyond being objectionable to manyriders be cause of the great extent of lateral movement the foot iscaused to travel, is further objectionable because of the loss ofleverage durin g periods when the pedal is rising and passing beyonddead-center, and when the elliptical sprocket is used the lateral orto-and-fro movement during rapid riding when the minor diameter of thesprocket is in engagementwith the chain is so rapid that it is difficultfor the rider to keep his pedals. A strictly up-and-down movement,however, such as that produced by an ordinary oscillating lever, is notdesirable, as it is an unnatural movement for the foot, it being unlikethe motion of the foot in walking; and hence a more or lessback-and-forth movement ing the pedals to travel in an orbit whoselateral axis or diameter is shorter than its upright or vertical axis ordiameter.

Another object of my invention is to cause the pedals to passthedead-center of their stroke at about the time the minor diameter ofthe sprocket comes into engagement with the chain or other means ofconnection between such sprocket-gear and the drivingwheel, whereby therapid movement of such sprocket produced by the driving-wheel actingthereon will be offset by the slow movement of the pedals at such times.

Another object of my invention is to hold the driving-chain taut whenthe minor diameter of the elliptical sprocket is transverse to the foldsof the chain, whereby backlash will be prevented.

A further object of my invention is to pro vide attachments whereby twomay ride the same machine and both propel through the agency of the samedriving-shaft and gearing.

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features ofnovelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts bywhich the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter appearingare attained, all as fully described, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, an d more particularly pointed out in the claims.

v In'the said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a velocipedeembodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan section thereof. Fig. 3 isan enlarged detail view showingthe device for taking up the slack orpreventing backlash of the driving-chain shown in side elevation. Fig. 4is an end or'front view thereof, partly in section. Fig. 5 is anenlarged detail View of one of the driving-levers and connected parts insideelevation. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken onthe line 6 6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 8 is a detailperspective view of the device for limiting the oscillation of thepedals. Fig. 9 is a modification thereof, and Fig. 10 is a modificationhereinafter described.

Like signs of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews.

To attain the said objects of my invention I apply the power to thecrank through the medium of a driving-lever having a floating orshifting pivot, and when the elliptical sprocket or gear is used Iarrange the crank on the short or minor diameter of the ellipse, thepedal being carried by the free end of the lever and the crank beingpivoted to the latter at a point between the pedal and the said shiftingor floating pivot by means of an attachment whichis capable of beingreadily adjusted and secured at various points in the length of thelever, whereby the leverage may be readily diminished or increased; andin order that the riders feet may not be caught between such lever andthe crank linterpose a guard between the plane of movement of the pedaland the crank and against which the riders foot would strike in theevent it should shift toward the crank. In order that the pedals mayremain in a convenient position forlhe application of the feet of therider and that the toe-clips, when the same are employed, may remain inthe proper position, the pedals are provided with stops or shoulders forlimiting their oscillation or extent of rotation. The greater part ofthe slack of the sprocket-chain is taken up by means of a roller whichis so arranged with reference to the sprocket-wheel that it will touchor be slightly above the chain when the major diameter of such u heel istransverse to the folds of the chain. If desired, the floating lever andthe supporting-link for the end thereof may be provided with rearwardextensions thereof on each side of the velocipedc and these providedwith pedals, so that by arranging an additional seatover the rear wheelthe velocipede is converted into a tandem and may be propelled by bothriders through the intermediary of the same crank-shaft and gearing.

My invention is shown in the drawil'lgs as applied to the ordinarychaiirgeared bicycle, but it will of course be understood that this isbut an example of the many forms of footpropelled vehicles or pedalmachinery generally to which my improvements may be ap plied.

In the example shown, upon each side of the saddle-post or centenbrace lof the bicycle-frame is supported a horizontal shaft or pin 2 by anysuitable means, such as a bear ing-sleeve 3, secured to a two-partclamping sleeve or collar 4, which latter embraces the saddle-post 1 andis preferably clamped thereto with capability of adjustment in orderthat my improvements may be applied to any bicycle and readily adjustedto suit the varying conditions.

To the outer end of each of the shafts or pins 2 is pivoted a swinginglink or support 5, to the lower end of which is pivoted the rear end ofthe aforesaid driving-lever (5, whose other or free end carries thepedal 7.

S are the cranks,which are of the usual construction and secured to theordinary crankshaft. These are pivoted, respectively, to the levers (5between the shifting or floating pivots 9 of such levers and the pedals7.

10 represents the sprocketgear-wheel,which is elliptical and on theminor diameter of which the cranks 8 are arranged, the gear 10 beingconnected to the driving-wheel by a sprocket-chain 11 in the ordinarymanner.

By the employment of the lever (5, having the floating or shifting pivotand being pivoted to the crank, as described, it will be seen that thecrank may be much shorter than heretofore, and the lateral movement ofthe pedal will at no time exceed the diameter of the are described bythe crank, while the vertical movement of the pedal will be of greaterextent and depend upon the length of the lever, the pedals traveling inan orbit whose upright diameter or axis is of much greater length thanits lateral diameter or axis, and the forward side of such orbit beingformed on a sharper curve than the rearward side, as indicated in Fig. 1by the dotted line 12. It will also be seen by this construction thatthe dead-centers are passed while the pedals are rising. Hence theleveron one side is assisted to pass the dead-centers by the lever onthe other side making its downward stroke, and the full downward strokeof each lever is effective on the crank-shaft throughout its entirerotation.

The sprocket 10 might of course, if desired, be circular, but I preferto employ an elliptical sprocket because the same has many advantageswhich are well known and the said advantages may be gained when it isused in connection with my invention without'cxperiencing thedisadvantages already described, and not-ably the rapid lateral movementof the pedal as it passes rearwardly under and comes forward over thedead-center. This advantage of my invention is evident from the factthat at such times as the minor diameter of the sprocket is inengagement with the chain and the sprocket is making its fastestmovement the pedalsare almost at the extremity of their stroke and arepassing in almost a strictly upward or a strictly downward direction andnot in a long lateral sweep, as heretofore.

Pivoted to the wristpin 8 is a box or clamp 13, through the upper partof which the pedallever 6 passes. In order that the lever U may bereadily adjusted or shifted end wise with reference to the box 13, it isarranged loosely within the box, and its under or lower edge is providedwith a number of notches 14, in

any of which engages one or more pins or lugs 15, passing through thebox 13. The opening in the box through which the lever 6 passes is ofgreater depth than the width of the lever, so as to permit ofindependent vertical movement of the latter, whereby it may bedisengaged from the lugs and shifted lengthwise with reference to thebox; and in order that the lever may remain normally in engagement withthe lugs 15 I provide the upper side of the box 13 with 'a spring orcushion 16, which bears normally upon the lever with sufficient pressureto hold it from disengagement with the lugs 15 under ordinarycircumstances, but which, when the lever is given a kick or thrust oneither end, will yield sufficiently to permit it to disengage from thelugs 15. By this construction it will be seen that the rider is enabledto vary the leverage without di'smounting, the pivots 9 being laterallyelongated, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2, to enable the rider toeffect this adjustment in the described manner. Such pivots 9 arenormally elongated forthe further purpose of forming foot-rests orcoasters and mounting and 'disinounting steps. For the latter purposethey are more advantageous than the pedal, inasmuch as the'rider maybear his weight upon them for a mounting or di'sm'ounting without regardto the position of the pedal.

ing being formed in the lower part of the box 13 in the manner moreclearly'shown in Fig.- 6. The edge of the opening in the box 13 isprovided with a groove for the balls 17, and such balls are held'inplace on one side by a cone 18, which passes axially through thewrist-pin S and is secured in place at its inner end by means of a'nut19, while the balls are held in place on the other side by means of acone formed on the end of the wrist-pin 8*, as clearly shown" in thedrawings. Thus I am enabled to adjustably connect the lever 6 to thecrank 8 and at the same time provide the same with anantifriction-bearing'and arrange it in close proximity to the face ofthe crank and thereby avoid increasing the width of the tread.

The described antifriction-bearing will of course be formed directly inthe lever 6 instead of in the box 13, which will not be used when thelever is connected permanently to the crank. It is desirable to arrangethe lever 6 in the same vertical plane with the wrist-pin instead of toone side of it in order to avoid making the angle of the toggle formedby the link 5 and lever b'too obtuse. The rear end of the lever iscurved downward, it being understood that'to either shorten or raise thelink 5 would result in increasing the angle formed by such link and thelever 6, and would also be objectionable for the further reason that thepivot 9 would be too high with reference to the crank-shaft. The outerend of the lever 6, which carries the pedal, might of course bestraight, but in order that the riders feet may not be raised to anawkward elevation I prefer to curve the outer ends of the leversdownward also, so that the pivot 9, wrist-pin 8, and the axis of thepedal will be in substantially a straight line.

The lever 6, throughout the greater portion of its intermediate length,is strai ght,whereby its longitudinal adjustment will not change thedescribed relation of the pivot 9, pin 8, and pedal axis.

To prevent the lever 6 from being shifted too far in either direction itis provided on each side of the box 13 with a stop-pin 20.

With a driving mechanism thus constructed the foot of the rider is indanger of being pinched between the lever 6 and the crank 8 as theyapproach the parallel, and in order to avoid such an accident I arrangethe guard 21 between the crank and the plane of movement of the pedal,as before mentioned. This guard 21 may be best located upon the lever6-itself and secured theretoinany suitable manner, as shown in thedrawings.

Inasmuch as the pedals 7 need not be different from the ordinary pedalsit is desirable to have the construction such that a pair of ordinarypedals may be attached to the levers 6 and thus avoid the expense ofadditional pedals when it is desired to apply my improved drivingmechanism to a'velocipede of the ordinary construction, but inasmuch assuch ordinary pedals arerotatable upon theirpsupporting-pins 22 and itis neither necessary nor desirable that the pedals, when employed on thelever 6, make complete rotations, because when the toe-clips 23, whichare essential in rapid riding, are employed they unbalance the pedalsand place them in inconvenient positions, I provide stops or shoulders24 for limiting the oscillation of the pedals. These stops orshoulders'are so constructed that they may be applied to the ordinarypedal and they are preferably so arranged under the inner end bar of thepedal that the latter will strike them'=when oscillating in eitherdirection. The shoulders 24 are formed on a platev 25, which is providedwith an opening 26, through which the pin 22 of the pedal passes, theopening 26 being formed with a fiat side which fits against the ordinaryflat side of the pin 22, thusholding the plate 25 from rotating on thepin 22 it being understood that the pin 22 is. fixed against rotation.The stops or shoulders 24 may be formed by two projections, as shown inFig. 8, or by striking up a circular flange on the lower edge of theplate 25, as shown in Fig. 9. By the employment of these stops forlimiting the oscillation of the pedal it will be seen that the pedal isfree to move IIO independently of the lever 6 throughout the stroke, butat the same time it is normally presented in the proper position for thereceptionof the riders foot.

In the use of the elliptical driving-gears it is found that thedriving-chain becomes so slack when the minor diameter of the gear istransverse to the folds of the chain that backlash and an objectionablejerk is produced. In order to avoid this and at the same time avoidproducing undue friction upon the driving-chain, I arrange anantifriction-roller 27 immediately above the lower fold of the chain, soas to be almost in contact therewith when the major diameter of thesprocket is transverse to the folds of the chain and the chain isconsequently under its greatest tension on both sides. Hence when theminor diameter of the sprocket becomes transverse' to the folds of thechain and the slack is no longer taken up by the sprocket itself thelower fold of the chain will nevertheless be under the same tension thatit was when the major diameter of the sprocket was transverse to it andthe up-anddown vibration or backlash of the lower fold, produced by themajor and minor diameters of the sprocket alternately coming intoongagement therewith, will be prevented.

The roller 27 may be mounted upon the bar 28 of the frame by means of aclamp 29, having a depending arm 30, through which the pintle 31 of theroller passes. The roller may be composed of laminated rawhide or othersuitable material.

\Vhen it is desired to convert the velocipede into a tandem, theordinary saddle may be removed and in its stead secured a bar 32, havinga pair of handle-bars and an eye 34 for the passage of the brace-bar 35,on whose forward end is arranged a saddle 36 for the forward rider,while a saddle 37 for the rear rider is arranged at its other end. Therear end of this brace-bar 35 is supported by a pair of standards orbraces 88, which are detachably secured to the shaft or pin 39, uponwhich the braces 28 and 40 are sup ported, as usual.

Extending rearwardly from each of the pivots 0 is an arm 41, whose rearend is supported by an arm 42, pivoted thereto and also pivoted at theupper end of the link 5 on the pin 2, and at the pivotal point of thebars 41 42 is arranged a pedal 43, whereby the rear rider may assist inpropelling the machine.

In order to prevent lateral swinging movement of the pedals 43, whichmight result in the arm 42 striking the bar 28 or some other part of themachine, I carry the forward end of the arm 41 as far outward aspossible and the forward end of the arm 42 as far inward as possible, sothat in plan View these two arms will be at an angle to and brace eachother.

In order to avoid accidental shifting of the lever 6 by pressure uponthe pedal 43, I pro vide the upper side of the box 13 with a setscrew44, which, when the tandem attachment is employed, may be screwed downagainst the spring 16 and thus firmly hold the lever (J in place.

Having thus described my invcution,what I claim as new therein, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A velocipede having incombination a driving-shaft having a crank, a driving-lever having afloating pivot and being provided with lug-and-notch connection withsaid crank whereby it may be adjusted, and means for yieldingly holdingsaid lug and notch in engagement substantially as set forth.

2. A velocipede having in combination a driving-shaft having a crank, afloating drivin g-lever having notches or catches,a box pivoted to saidcrank and through which said lever passes, a pin or lug carried by saidbox and engaging in said notches, and a spring or cushion for holdingsaid pin and notches normally in engagement, substantially as set forth.

3. A velocipede having in combination a driving-shaft provided with acrank, a driving-lever adjustably connected to said crank and having afloating pivot, and a lateral projection located at said pivot forenabling the rider to adjust said lever by means of his foot,substantially as set forth.

4. A velocipede having in combination an elliptical sprocket-wheel, asprocket-chain passing around said wheel for communicating motion to thedriving-wheel, and an idler arranged between the folds of the chain andin the line of or immediately above the slack side of the chain when themajo diameter of the sprocket-wheel is transverse to such portion of thechain, whereby said idler will be substantially out of contact With thechain when the latter is taut and the major diameters of the sprocketare acting thereon substantially as set forth.

5. A velocipede having in combination a driving-shaft provided with acrank, a floating pedal-lever connected to said crank and having apedal, a rearwardly-projectin g pivoted arm, a second pedal supported bysaid arm and a second arm pivoted to said second pedal and to saidlever, substantially as set forth.

6. A velocipede having in combination a driving-shaft provided with acrank, a floating pedal-lever pivoted to said crank and havin g a pedal,an arm pivotally connected to the rear end of said pedal-lever, a secondarm pivotally supported on the machine and connected with said firstarm, a pedal supported on said arms and said arms being arranged indiverging vertical planes, substantially as set forth.

7. A velocipede having in combination a frame, the post 32 adj ustablysecured to said frame and having an eye 34, a bar passing through anddetachably secured in said eye for carrying two saddles, and the rearend of i said bar being detaehably supported upon porting the rear endof said bar, substanthe frame, substantially as set forth. tially as setforth.

8. A velocipede having in combination a 1 frame, a post 32 detachablysupported on said ROBERT MIEHLE' 5 frame,-a handle-bar secured to saidpost, a W'itnesses:

bar extending through said post and carry- F. A. HOPKINS, ing a saddleat each end, and means for sup- EDNA B. JOHNSON.

